Grain loss monitoring device

ABSTRACT

A monitoring device for indicating the loss of grain across the exit end of a crop separating mechanism supported within a crop receiving passageway. The monitoring device includes a conveyor extending across and below the exit end of the crop separating mechanism with the conveyor delivering any grain received therein to a flowmeter in communication therewith. The flowmeter is in the form of a vertical passageway with a platen disposed in the passageway and having a convex surface exposed to the path of flow of the grain. The platen is pivoted adjacent the side of the passageway and has an end portion extending beyond the pivot to cooperate with signal-generating means for indicating flow of grain through the flowmeter. In one embodiment, the signal generating means takes the form of a circuit having a warning light and a switch with the switch actuated by the paddle in response to the flow of grain through the flowmeter. In another embodiment, the signal generating means is a circuit having an indicator and a variable resistor, the resistance of which is controlled by the paddle.

Unite States Patent Dahlquist et al.

[54] GRAIN LOSS MONITORING DEVICE [72] Inventors: Robert L. lDahlquist,Rock Island; Maurice Klee, Rockton, both of Ill.

[73] Assignee: J. I. Case Company [22] Filed: Apr. 3, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 25,421

[ Feb. 1, 1972 Primary ExaminerAntonio F. Guida Attorney-Dressler,Goldsmith, Clement & Gordon [5 7] ABSTRACT A monitoring device forindicating the loss of grain across the exit end of a crop separatingmechanism supported within a crop receiving passageway. The monitoringdevice includes a conveyor extending across and below the exit end ofthe crop separating mechanism with the conveyor delivering any grainreceived therein to a flowmeter in communication therewith. Theflowmeter is in the form of a vertical passageway with a platen disposedin the passageway and having a convex surface exposed to the path offlow of the grain. The platen is pivoted adjacent the side of thepassageway and has an end portion extending beyond the pivot tocooperate with signalgenerating means for indicating flow of grainthrough the flowmeter.

In one embodiment, the signal generating means takes the form of acircuit having a warning light and a switch with the switch actuated bythe paddle in response to the flow of grain through the flowmeter. Inanother embodiment, the signal generating means is a circuit having anindicator and a variable resistor, the resistance of which is controlledby the paddle 12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures GRAIN LOSS MONITORING DEVICEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally toharvesting machines and, more particularly, to an improved monitoringdevice for indicating grain'loss from the outlet of the machine.

In the operation of certain types of harvesting machines, such ascombines, the harvested crop is passed through a threshing mechanism,wherein most of the kernels of grain are separated from the harvestedmaterial. The remainder of the harvested material, having some of thekernels of grain remaining therein, is then received on the cropseparating structure or mechanism, such as a group of straw-walkers,disposed rearwardly of the threshing mechanism. The cropseparatingmechanismhasopenings therein and is agitated to separate the remaininggrain from the harvested material. Thereafter, the harvested material ispassed across the rear end of the crop-separating mechanism. and isdelivered through an exit opening in the harvesting machine.

In the operation of a harvesting machine of this type, it is importantto control the rate at which the crop is fed to the combine in order toprevent overloading of the machine. If the machine is overloaded, someof the grain will remain in the harvested material andwill be lostthrough the exit opening of the combine. Heretofore, it has beencustomary for the operator to listen for the noiselevel of the machineto determine whether the material is being fed to the combine at a rateless than the maximum capacity of the machine.

With the recent emphasis upon comfort and automation of the combine,manufacturers have placed great emphasis upon the operators compartmentor cab of the combine. Thus, many of present-dayharvesting machines havethe operator effectively isolated from the remainder of the machine inan air-conditioned cab, which is substantially soundproofed to reducethe noise level therein. In such a machine, it is difficult for theoperator to combine by ear and by feel.

One of the problems encountered with combines of this type is that'theoperator is not aware of whether the threshing mechanism is overloaded.While combine grain monitoring devices are presently being marketed toindicate a loss of grain from the combine, these devices have not foundany degree of commercial. success. One of the problems is that most ofthe commercially available devices are marketed as attachments andusually-incorporate very sensitive electronic equipment, whichisextremely expensive. Another problem with commercially availablemonitoring devices is that the devices generally monitor only' -alimited area of the crop-separating- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thepresent invention contemplates a simple and inexpensive grain lossmonitoring device, which can readily be incorporated into harvestingmachines and which monitors all of the grain lost through the outlet endof the combine. The present invention takes the form of a conveyingmeans extending entirely across the outlet end of a crop-separatingmechanism, which is supported within a crop receiving passageway of acombine- The conveying means delivers any grain received therein to agravity feed flowmeter that cooperates with a signal generating means toindicate the flow of grain through the flowmeter.

In one embodiment, the signal generating means is in the form of anelectric circuit incorporating a warning device, such as alight, and aswitch, which is actuated in responseto the flow of grain within theflowmeter, to complete the circuit to the warning device. In analternative embodiment, the signal generating means includes an electriccircuit having variableresistance means, the resistance of which isdetermined by the flow of grain through the flowmeter. The circuitincorporates some typeof readout device, suchas a galvanometer, forindicating the flow of grain through the flowmeter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary,longitudinal, vertical sectional view of a harvesting machine having thepresent invention incorporated therein;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along line 2-2ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the monitoringdevice shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a circuit forming part of themonitoring device shown in FlG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing an alternative signalgenerating mechanism; and

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a signal generating circuitforming part of the monitoring device of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION While this invention is susceptible of embodimentin many ditferent forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinbe described in detail one specific embodiment, with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit theinvention to the embodiment illustrated.

With particular reference to the drawings, there is disclosed aharvesting machine or combine 10 having the present inventionincorporated therein. The harvesting machine includes a housing 12defining a longitudinally extending crop receiving passageway 14 havingseparating means 15 supported therein. The separating means includes aprimary unit 16, which may be what is generally referred to as astraw-walker or a straw rack,. mounted for oscillating movement withinthe passageway 14 by suitable means (not shown).

The primary unit 16 of the crop separating means or mechanism receivesharvested material on the forward end thereof, which is deliveredthereto by a beater mechanism, generally designated by the referencenumeral 18. The harvested material received on the forward end of theprimary unit or straw rack has most of the kernels of grain separatedfrom the remainder of the harvested material. Thus, while the harvestedmaterial is agitated on the primary crop separating unit 16, the grainpasses through openings (not shown) in the unit to be deposited uponeither a grain pan 19, or a return pan 20. The return pan is tilted todeliver the grain across the forward end to the primary grain panl9.Since the openings in the primary unit 16 are of substantial size,much of the chaff and other small particles of the harvested materialpass through the openings. Therefore, the grain, as well as the smallerparticles of harvested material, are delivered to a cleaning unit orshoe 22, which further separates the grain from the harvested material.The grain passing through openings in the cleaning shoe or secondaryseparatingunit 22 is received onto a cleaning sieve 24 and a fan 26 isdisposed adjacent the forward end of the cleaning sieve 24 to produce aflow of air rearwardly and force any of the lighter chaff from thegrain. The clean'grain is then deposited along a conveyor 28 to bedelivered to a grain tank. The larger particles of harvested materialreceived on the cleaning sieve, which are commonly referred to astailings, are delivered to a further conveyor 30 to be returned to thethreshing cylinder (not shown) for further processing.

As was indicated above, it is absolutely essential that the operator beat all times aware of any grain which may remain on either the primaryseparating unit 16 or the secondary separating unit 22, all of whichultimately is delivered across the rear end of each of therespectiveunits and is deposited on the ground through the exit opening 32of thelongitudinal passageway 14.

Aswas indicated above, grain monitoring attachments are commerciallyavailable, but so far as presently known, these devices only sampleasmall transverse area of the primary crop separating unit. Such a unitis highly undesirable, since research has shown that the crop which isreceived through the inlet end of the passageway 14 is not distributedacross the entire width of the crop separating mechanism. Thus, grainmay be lost over the rear end of the harvesting machine without beingdetected by units of the above type. Furthermore, an additional problemwith prior art units is that such units generally have an indicatingportion mounted in the operators cab and the cab is generally notdesigned for such a unit. Also, the prior art units are very sensitivedevices, which make it very difficult to isolate them from the vibrationof the machine.

According to the present invention, the harvesting machine or combine lincorporates a monitoring device 40 for each of the primary andsecondary separating units 16 and 22. Since each monitoring device 40 isidentical in construction, only one will be described in detail.

Each grain loss monitoring unit or device 40 includes separatingconveyor means extending transversely across the passageway 14 andincluding a substantially U-shaped trough 42 extending between opposedsidewalls of the housing 12 with a conveyor 44 disposed in the trough42. The trough 42 has an inlet end 46, which is disposed below the rearor exit end of one of the crop separating units, 16 or 22. The inlet end46 of the trough has tines or screen means 45 for preventing themajority of the harvested material from entering the trough 42.

The conveyor 44 is in the form of an auger having left-hand andright-hand flights 48 and 50 for delivering any material in the trough42 to a central or intermediate area 52 of the trough 42. The centralintermediate area of the trough has an apertured floor portion 54 withthe apertures or openings being of sufficient size as to allow thekernels of grain to pass therethrough, while preventing chaff and largerparticles of material from entering the flowmeter, which will bedescribed later.

The separating conveying means further includes means for removing anyharvested material from the trough and is illustrated as a paddle 56located between the adjacent ends of the flights 48 and 50 of the augerconveyor 44. The trough 42 has a recess 58 in alignment with the paddle56 and an outwardly turned flange 60, so that the rotation of theconveyor 14 and the paddle 56 will force any harvested material, otherthan grain, from the intermediate area of the trough through the recessor outlet 58.

The rotation of the conveyor auger 44 may be accomplished through adrive belt received on a pulley 62, fixed to one end of the shaftforming part of the conveyor. Thus, rotation of the pulley 62 will forceany materials within the trough 42 towards the apertured, central floorportion 52 and will allow the kernels of grain to pass through theapertures therein. At the same time, any other harvested materialreceived into the trough 42 will be removed therefrom through therotation of the paddle 56 and exit through the recess 58.

The monitoring device 40 further includes a flowmeter 66 having itsupper end in communication with the central apertured floor portion 54.The flowmeter 66 is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 3 and includesmeans for receiving the grain from the conveyor means and, moreparticularly, vertical passage means 68 defined by a tube 70 having anoutwardly tapered upper end portion 72, a reduced area intermediateportion 74, and an enlarged lower portion 76. Thus, all of the grainreceived through the apertures will be directed by the tapered portion72 towards the intermediate area 74 of the passage 68.

The flowmeter 66 of the monitoring device 40 further includes amechanism or means disposed within the passageway 68 for indicating theflow of grain therein. The mechanism or member is in the form of aplaten 80 having an upper convex surface 82 exposed to the path of flowof the grain being gravity-fed into the upper end of the passage 68. Theplaten is pivoted about a pin 84 supported within the side of the tube70 with a portion of the platen or an arm 86 extending beyond the pivotpin 84. A spring 88 is connected to the arm 86 and has its opposite endconnected to an adjustment screw 90 threaded into a bracket 92. Thespring 88 thus maintains the intermediately pivoted platen in the solidline, or first position shown in FIG. 3, which is defined by a stop (notshown).

In operation, when grain is delivered over the rear end of thecrop-separating mechanism or means, the grain will be delivered, bygravity, into the trough 42 to be delivered by the conveyor 44 to thepassageway 68 and will strike the upper surface 82 of the platen as itflows through the passage 68. The free-falling bodies of grain, havingkinetic energy as they strike the platen, will cause a pivotal movementof the platen from the first position to a second position (shown by thedotted line of FIG. 3) to indicate a grain loss through the outlet endof the separating mechanism.

The grain monitoring device 40 further includes electric circuit meansor signal generating means cooperating with the flowmeter for producingan indication of grain loss across the end of the separating mechanism.In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the signal generatingmeans includes a normally open switch having an actuating button 102disposed in the path of pivotal movement of the arm 86. The switch 100forms a part of an electrical circuit 104 having a warning device 106,such as a light, and a voltage source 108, with the circuit beingsuitably grounded at 110. As the mechanism or platen 80 is pivoted fromthe first position to the second position by the flow of grain throughthe passage 68, the switch 102 will be actuated to energize the warningdevice 106.

A slightly modified signal generating means is disclosed in FIGS. 5 and6 which cooperates with the flowmeter 66. The signal generating meansdisclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes a variable resistance means having aresistance determined by the position of the arm 86, which positions theadjustable contact 122 of the variable resistor 120. The adjustableresistor 120 is again incorporated in a circuit 124 having a source ofvoltage 126 and an indicating device or readout 128, such as agalvanometer. The indicating device 128 may readily be incorporated intothe control panel of the operators cab (not shown), so that the operatorwill immediately be apprised of the fact that grain is being lostthrough the exit end 32 of the combine 10.

The operation of the entire unit is believed to be apparent from theabove description. Any grain that remains in the harvested materialdelivered across the outlet or rear end of the crop separating mechanismpasses through the screen means 45 extending across the trough 42 and isreceived into the lower portion or floor of the trough. The augerconveyor 44 then moves the grain and some smaller particles of harvestedmaterial, which pass through the screen means or tines towards thecenter area of the trough, defined by the perforated floor portion 54.The kernels of grain will then fall through the apertures while theremainder of the harvested material will be forced by the paddles 56through the recess 58. The free-falling kernels of grain will strike theplaten and the kinetic energy thereof will be absorbed by the platen topivot the platen about the pin 84. When a sufficient number of kernelsof grain are passing through the passageway 68, in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 3, the platen will be pivoted sufficiently toactuate switch button R02 and complete the circuit 104 to the warninglight 106, indicating to the operator that the grain loss exceeds apredetermined level. The convex upper surface 82 of the platen ormechanism 80 will prevent the accumulation of any of the kernels ofgrain on the upper surface 82.

In the alternative embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 5 and 6, any kernels ofgrain passing through the passage 68 will pivot the platen 80 and causethe arm thereof to move the adjustable contact 122 indicating throughthe indicator 128 that grain is flowing through the passage 68.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a simple andinexpensive manner of monitoring the loss of grain from a combine. Themechanism includes a minimum number of parts and, particularly, theelectrical circuitry is very inexpensive and can readily be incor oratedinto any present-day machine.

What is claimed is:

1. In a harvesting machine having a longitudinally extending cropreceiving passageway with a crop separating means supported in saidpassageway for separating grain from the remainder of harvested materialreceived in said passageway, said separating means depositing theremainder of the harvested material at an exit end of said passageway,the improvement of a grain loss monitoring device for detecting the lossof grain through said exit end and comprising separating conveyor meansextending transversely of said passageway and disposed below the exitend of said crop separating means for receiving grain from the exit endof said separating mechanism; means for removing harvested material,other than grain, from said separating conveyor means; means forreceiving said grain from said separating conveyor means; mechanismassociated with said last means and disposed in the path of flow of saidgrain; and signal generating means cooperating with said mechanism forindicating the amplitude of the flow of grain in said last means.

2. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said separatingconveyor means comprising a trough having a conveyor therein and meansextending across said trough for preventing harvested material fromentering said trough; said means for receiving said grain defines avertical passage communicating at the upper end with said trough; andsaid mechanism comprises a member pivotally mounted adjacent one side ofsaid passage with one end disposed in said passage.

3. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said signalgenerating means comprises a circuit having a warning device therein andswitch means actuated by said mechanism for completing said circuit.

4. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said signalgenerating means comprises a circuit having variable resistanceresponsive to movement of said mechanism.

5. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said separatingmeans comprises a primary unit and a secondary unit with a grain lossmonitoring device for each of said units.

6. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said meansreceiving said grain define a vertical passage means for receiving grainby gravity feed, and said mechanism includes a pivoted member in saidpassage means and disposed in the path of grain passing through saidpassage means, said member being pivoted from a first position inresponse to the flow of grain in said passage means; and means forindicating pivotal movement of said member to indicate grain loss.

7. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 6, in which said memberdefines a convex surface exposed to the path of grain.

8. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 6, in which said last meansproduces an output signal as a function of the amount of flow of grainin said passage means.

9. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 6, in which said last meansproduces a warning signal when said member is pivoted to a secondposition.

10. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 6, in which said membercomprises a paddle pivoted intermediate its ends and having a convexupper surface on one end disposed in said path.

11. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 10, in which said means forindicating pivotal movement comprises a switch disposed in the path ofthe opposite end of said paddle; circuit means connected to said switch,said circuit means incorporating a warning signal operated in responseto actuation of said switch by said paddle.

12. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said trough hasan apertured floor portion aligned with said vertical passage and saidconveyor has a paddle aligned with said apertured floor portion toremoving harvested material from said apertured floor portion.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE CE TIFIQTE ECTION Patent No. 3,638,659 DatedFebruary 1, 1972 Inventor(S) ROBERT L. DAHL IST & MAURICE KLEE It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 8, "make" should be --makes--.

Column 3 line 52, "padd1e should be -paddles--.

Column 5, line 33, insert --means-- after "resistance".

Sig ed and sealed this 27th day of June 1 972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR, ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. In a harvesting machine having a longitudinally extending cropreceiving passageway with a crop separating means supported in saidpassageway for separating grain from the remainder of harvested materialreceived in said passageway, said separating means depositing theremainder of the harvested material at an exit end of said passageway,the improvement of a grain loss monitoring device for detecting the lossof grain through said exit end and comprising separating conveyor meansextending transversely of said passageway and disposed below the exitend of said crop separating means for receiving grain from the exit endof said separating mechanism; means for removing harvested material,other than grain, from said separating conveyor means; means forreceiving said grain from said separating conveyor means; mechanismassociated with said last means and disposed in the path of flow of saidgrain; and signal generating means cooperating with said mechanism forindicating the amplitude of the flow of grain in said last means.
 2. Aharvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in which said separatingconveyor means comprising a trough having a conveyor therein and meansextending across said trough for preventing harvested material fromentering said trough; said means for receiving said grain defines avertical passage communicating at the upper end with said trough; andsaid mechanism comprises a member pivotally mounted adjacent one side ofsaid passage with one end disposed in said passage.
 3. A harvestingmachine as defined in claim 1, in which said signal generating meanscomprises a circuit having a warning device therein and switch meansactuated by said mechanism for completing said circuit.
 4. A harvestingmachine as defined in claim 1, in which said signal generating meanscomprises a circuit having variable resistance responsive to movement ofsaid mechanism.
 5. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 1, in whichsaid separating means comprises a primary unit and a secondary unit witha grain loss monitoring device for each of said units.
 6. A harvestingmachine as defined in claim 1, in which said means receiving said graindefine a vertical passage means for receiving grain by gravity feed, andsaid mechanism includes a pivoted member in said passage means anddisposed in the path of grain passing through said passage means, saidmember being pivoted from a first position in response to the flow ofgrain in said passage means; and means for indicating pivotal movementof said member to indicate grain loss.
 7. A harvesting machine asdefined in claim 6, in which said member defines a convex surfaceexposed to the path of grain.
 8. A harvesting machine as defined inclaim 6, in which said last means produces an output signal as afunction of the amount of flow of grain in said passage means.
 9. Aharvesting machine as defined in claim 6, in which said last meansproduces a warning signal when said member is pivoted to a secondposition.
 10. A harvesting machine as defined in claim 6, in which saidmember comprises a paddle pivoted intermediate its ends and having aconvex upper surface on one end disposed in said path.
 11. A harvestingmachine as defined in claim 10, in which said means for indicatingpivotal movement comprises a switch disposed in the path of the oppositeend of said paddle; circuit means connected to said switch, said circuitmeans incorporating a warning signal operated in response to actuationof said switch by said paddle.
 12. A harvesting machine as defined inclaim 1, in which said trough has an apertured floor portion alignedwith said vertical passage and said conveyor has a paddle aligned withsaid apertured floor portion to removing harvested material from saidapertured floor portion.